Happy 'almost 1/3 through winter'! I've had some time to jot down a few comments about the songs I've included on my first commercial CD offering 'Migration Songs'. I will be uploading some samples a little later. You can have a read of the reviews here. Feel free to comment and critique. I enjoy a good discussion.

In case you're wondering, above is a pic of my longtime friend and accomplice, my modified F65 Fender. Most of my music gets written on this guitar. I purchased it from my Brother in Law in 1982 and in 1983 I had the Folk Center in Ottawa, Ontario do a fret job and replace the bridge. I am at least the 5th owner of this instrument which sounds better and better with the passing of time! Its rings sweet acoustically and with the Dean Markley 'hole' pickup it can stand up to a serious amplified onslaught!

Here's a pic to help you keep your mind off of winter! And possibly give you some pause for thought. It's a shot from inside the Guinness Factory in Dublin, Ireland, taken on a recent trip across the pond. Always one to take in a place's cultural offerings, myself and a buddy toured the establishment, got the certificate and drank the freshest squeezings of the 'nectar of the bogs' I've ever tasted! This particular piece of sculpture was actually in motion...the fish is pedaling! Also, I'm guessing that this is where Bono got the line for the song...

Yesterday we wanted to go for a walk around for a bit of 'stemming the tide'. Problem was that the roads around our place are very busy on the weekend and not much fun or relaxing, so we decided to check out Bidgood's Park in the Goulds. Turned out it's a lovely little park, not a really challenging walk but pleasant. Of note for those with injury or elderly, this is a good spot with not much change in level plus lots of benches throughout. Another nice thing about this park is that it cuts through a great wetlands with plenty of boardwalk. It should be very nice in warmer seasons...whenever and whatever those are! It took us about 35 minutes to do the perimeter but there's several intersecting trails to be explored as well.Here's a view from the bridge over Cochrane Pond Brook looking out on the park.

So, Buddy has created a Food Group on Facebook and I have no idea how to upload an entire series of pics/text so I'm going to pop the recipe on here and see if I can somehow get it exported/imported into FB. Bear with me.

Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings provide today's musical selection, along with some [pre-disco] Bee Gees, Dylan and Jeff Healey. You can play whatever you want! (warning this meal takes a bit of time and work, but is worth it)!

We start with the ingredients for the Salsa:Diced tomatos of your choiceCumin & corriander to taste ( I usually go with a couple of tablespoons of each).A bit of onion and anything else you like in your salsa...it is after all, your salsa!Combine and heat on stove, turn down to simmer once boiling.

Combine the Guacamole ingredients, chopped and place in fridge. Remember to place the pit in the mixture as this keeps the oxidization process at bay for a bit.

Protein...your choice of...Today we had pan fried chicken breast with garlic, olive oil and cracked black pepper...anything you like could be the protein...fish, steak, whatever.​Cook and keep warm.

Here's the time consumer...the tortillas!I use about 3 cups of flour, a couple of tablespoons of margarine and approximately a cup or so of lukewarm/hot water.Pinch the margarine through the flour until all mixed in then add the water and knead into a dough...just like making bread.

Once the dough has been made, tear off bits to roll up into ping pong size balls. Three cups of flour will make about 18-20 balls. Place in a bowl and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Gently stir the balls around so the oil coats them.

Toss some flour on the counter top and flatten the balls out with the heel of your hand.

Keeping plenty of flour on the surface, roll out the balls very thinly (almost see through). I find doing one or two at a time easiest, rather than trying to do them all at once.

Place the tortilla in a preheated (medium/low) cast iron pan (or whatever pan you have!) and watch until bubbles start to form. This doesn't take very long if your pan is hot enough. Flip and watch again. As soon as the bubbles rise remove from pan and place on a cloth on a plate or in a basket. Cover with the cloth until next tortilla is ready to put in.Repeat ad infinitum until all the tortillas are done. Keep warm (always good advice)!

When ready to sit down, don't! You still have to chop up the chicken, grate some cheese (your choice of) and place the salsa in a bowl. Get some of your favourite hot sauces for sprinkling on your fajita and serve yourself. This is what ours looked like today!

Warning! It's possible to consume several beer during the preparation of this meal so make sure you have plenty! You could seriously shag this up if you drink several margaritas while doing this...

Tah Dah! Arrange on a plate with a scoop or two of the chilled guacamole with tostitos. Enjoy the smiles on the faces around your table. More music and drink rounds this out nicely. If you eat this properly you won't feel the need for desert...you'll be full!

2016. Wow. Who woulda thunk it all those years ago? Here we are, the fortunate ones (and remember that), looking a brand new year in the eyeballs. It's hard sometimes to focus on the big picture when we're bogged down with the 'day to day' but we should always reflect and be thankful of the ways we've come. Everyone's story is different and yet, the same. Good times, bad times, sad times and glad times; it's all a part of this big mystery called Life. Here's wishing you all a wonderful year, and the strength and awareness to handle whatever comes our way.Also, it's freaking winter! Here's a shot looking over at Redcliff on a mauzy day in summer...that oughta hold ya!